I just got a used winchester 1400. It has a 22" smooth bore barrel (deer slug) but there is a thing screwed into the end (i guess its a choke?) that says sabot only. Why would you use sabot slugs on a smooth bore? I am thinking i should ignore that and use rifled slugs?

Willie Lowman

October 31, 2011, 10:52 AM

The thing screwed in the end is probably a rifled choke for shooting... Sabotted bullets (only).

Remove it and use an improved cylinder choke and shoot rifled slugs if you so desire.

oneounceload

October 31, 2011, 10:52 AM

If it says sabot only, I would imagine the maker put that on there for a reason. Is it rifled inside the the tube? Rifled chokes, like the barrels are for sabots.

zippy13

October 31, 2011, 11:29 AM

Greetings Coldrice, and welcome aboard.

IMHO, rifled screw-in chokes are a gimmick marketed to those who want sabot performance but don't have a rifled barrel. As Willie Lowman said, use a standard choke and slugs.